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^{New! 01.10.08}     Birmingham's First Light Movies, a digital filmmaking initiative for young people (5-19), is running an "Introduction to First Light Movies for film professionals" event on Wednesday 22nd October 2008, 10am – 1pm. The event is aimed at...

"organisations that work with young people, as well as filmmakers, who would like to find out about opportunities through our funding schemes. ... Spaces are limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. To book a place please email simon@firstlightmovies.com with your contact details (postal address, telephone) as well as your dietary requirements as a light lunch will be provided, and whether you agree to share your details with the other attendees for a contact list. If you have any queries please call us on 0121 753 4866."

"The Writers' Toolkit is a day for emerging and established writers and anyone working in the writing industry to learn about aspects of the business in greater detail, connect with other writers and those working in writer development. A mixture of presentations, seminars, question and answer sessions and discussions, it will bring together people and organisations concerned with writing in the West Midlands. Sessions will include - pitching ideas for stage and screen, teaching creative writing, becoming a business, publishing and using an agent, working with BBC radio, careers in literature development, producing live literature and many more"

* outline proposal of no more than 500-words
* an abbreviated C.V. as an MS Word .doc
* up to five low-res JPG images

Email to: info _at_ youplusus.net by noon on 3rd October 08.

Click to launch the gallery.

"The key aim of the commissions within the building is to enhance the visitor experience and animate the new public spaces through contemporary arts practice ... commissioned works will be sited within or in close proximity to the new mac building. Works may be integrated into the fabric of the building, stand-alone, functional, on-line and/or interactive. We are keen to encourage commissions using digital and new media."

"We are hoping to establish a self-managing group for writers who want genuine feedback on their work. This will be a forum for writers who hope to take their work to a higher level, perhaps with a view to publication and performance. If you are interested in prose fiction, poetry or writing for the stage or screen, please do come along."

Subscribe to Creative Stoke's Yahoo! group

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"meet every Thursday evening at Wellington Road Community Centre based at Dresden Street, Hanley, just off Commercial Road. We usually arrive at about 7.30pm and start at 7.45pm. We have a break for tea/coffee and biscuits. We are a friendly club and will certainly make you welcome."

"inform firms of the opportunities from the London 2012 Olympics that could boost your bottom line and how you could be involved."

"The site will act as a central point of information for creative businesses in the North Staffs region. It will hold regularly updated News, Events, Jobs and Opportunities, a Showcase Gallery Section, a Business Support 'Roadmap', an online directory of creative businesses in the region offering both social networking and ecommerce facilities, and an online 'clinic' - fostering peer-learning between users. It should be the 'first point of contact' for anyone working (or looking to work) in the creative industries sector."

Monday the 15th Sept — Preferably for this day we need people aged under 30. We would not need people until around 5pm and they must be willing to stay until midnight!

Tuesday the 16th Sept — For this day we would like a mix of ages but preferably those over thirty. These are scenes in which we really need older people. Its a great chance for those of you who want to be involved in the film but haven't had much opportunity to get on camera! We would need people to be available from midday to 11pm.

Friday the 19th / Sat the 20th Sept — If you live in the area and want to get involved then this is your last chance as these are out final days in Stoke-on-Trent! The hours for Fridy are 9am-8pm and the hours for Sat are 8am-7pm. these two days are crucial for us as we are finishing our shots of Wigan Casino in the Kings Hall. If you've come for one of our big days before then it would be great to have to back. These scenes are really crucial to the film, we need big crowds to recreate on film the essence of what made the Wigan Casino so unique. All ages are welcome and it would be great to get as many new faces as possible, so invite as many friends and family as possible.

"a massive dance scene which will recreate the vibe of 1974 at Wigan Casino".

"Th' bulldozers came last wayk; thee didna waste any tarme... Now, ow ah can see from mar back yard is a sea of debris, red, black 'n' grey; and th' tide stretches back as far as thayse tired owd eyes of marne can see fer. Pretty soon, ah suppose, ah'll bay the eownly one arahind 'ere that's left..."

"After completing a series of celebrated TV adverts for companies such as The Famous Grouse and Fairy Liquid, Stoke-on-Trent-based SMA Studios are now planning to incorporate and expand the company to 30+ animators in order to produce a feature-film and two high-profile TV series in the region."

"... we will produce a brief for designers to work from. We would then expect the designers to present their ideas to young people who will pick whom they would like to work with. It may be a different designer for each project, or one designer to do the lot, this will be the young people's decision."

The main online resource is the free PDF file "UK photographers rights: a short guide to photographers rights in the UK". This is a concise two-page guide published in 2004 by Linda Macpherson, a lecturer in law at Heriot Watt University. Other online resources are: i) from the venerable Urban 75, which has issued a 2008 protestors guide to photographers rights; and ii) the UK Bureau of Freelance Photographers has recently issued its 7,000 members with a photographers rights card (the page linked has a scan of the card).

Those seeking further advice relevant to the UK could consult the books The Photographer and the Law (1997) by Don Cassell, and The Law of Photography and Digital Images (2004) by Christina Michalos. The latter is an expensive tome meant for the offices of lawyers — but a Times article by Michalos, putting the gist of her book into everyday language, is available here.

In regards to reportage — it should be further noted that... i) the Data Protection Act has an exemption for photos by journalists and artists; and that... ii) journalists have additional exemption from copyright when photographing copyrighted items of "artistic craftsmanship" (even if these might be "temporarily situated", as in a gallery show freely open to the public), if the photographs are for the purpose of "making a published review".

The above is intended purely as a broad outline of your rights and is not a definitive legal statement and is not to be relied on.

"This performance is an exciting opportunity to introduce large numbers of students to opera, or to enhance an already established interest in the art form. A full series of support materials and workshops are available for students and teachers, exploring the ways in which these performances can integrate and accompany the exploration of music, literature and drama."

Enter gallery...

"We are a creative company employing six designers working on a number of international exhibition projects. Annexed to our studio is a workshop with fifteen craftspeople creating bespoke displays for exhibitions and museums. Currently there is a vacancy in our projects office. This would suit a person who loves taking a design through to the finished item."

^{New! 19.06.08}    Added to the Directory: Aerial Eyes — specialist low-altitude aerial photographers, based in Dresden, Stoke-on-Trent.

"£30 million first phase of the 16ha scheme, a media centre ... four floors of offices and radio facilities on the top floor. ... a 200-seat auditorium to record live shows, and the TV centre"

"...act as a researcher for a TV Production, set within the last 100 years. You will have a hand in everything from researching the period to working on the scripts; from designing the costumes to dressing the set. All this within a buzzing university environment, where you can talk you our staff and students, see our facilities and find out what exciting opportunities are available for you. The event is open to post 16 students from across Staffordshire who have an interest in History and would like to study it at Higher Education level. Places are limited so book early to guarantee a place." Details from:   j.albins@staffs.ac.uk

"The fellowship is directed at artists at the beginning of or at a critical point in their professional career. Applicants should normally have a first degree and/or a postgraduate qualification in Fine Art. The Fellow will be provided with a studio in the School of Art and will have access to all of the Schools’ facilities. The fellowship lasts for 10 months commencing in October 2008 and culminates in an exhibition. The Fellow will receive a stipend of £9,000."

"to address challenges faced by mid-career [ crafts and textiles ] makers, exploring opportunities: financial, personal and educational. Speakers: Cas Holmes (Maker), Marlene Little (Course Director B.A. Textile Design), Beatrice Mayfield (Crafts Council), and Heather Rigg (Designer Maker West Midlands)"

"Currently the intention of the core group is to commission a range of projects; two projects up to £8,000 (two at £4,000), and a number of small projects in the range £500 to £1,000, and we will also be seeking to commission from students at the lower range of £250 to £500. It should be borne in mind that these are guidelines not ceilings and that value-for-money will be a consideration. Please note that these commissions are dependent on successful funding bids."

”..120-page photo diary containing over 200 black & white and colour photographs of bands including, Babyshambles, The Cribs, Bloc Party, Editors, Foo Fighters, Morrissey, Paul Weller, Ian Brown, Kasabian, We Are Scientists and many local Stoke bands.”

^{New! 06.05.08}      Added to the Directory: Steve Roberts Caricatures. Buy prints, or commission a caricature picture of your friends, family, workmates, or even your own fave celeb. Steve is a cartoonist based in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent.

"Regional artists are invited to submit their work for the first Open West Midlands, taking place at Wolverhampton Art Gallery this summer. Deadline: 28th May 08." (DVDs and CDs acceptable!).

"381 pages with over 2,500 full colour reproductions ... This Staffordshire volume shows over 2,500 oil paintings from 34 publicly-owned collections in the county including those in the metropolitan boroughs of Wolverhampton, Walsall and Sandwell. Showing paintings both on display and in store, and ranging from Old Masters to Pop Art, this comprehensive catalogue offers a valuable insight into the artistic heritage and history of the county. Major collections such as those at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, and The New Art Gallery in Walsall are featured alongside collections owned by a wide range of smaller museums, Keele University and local authorities."

Explore ideas for public art, visual arts interventions, exhibitions and commissions and provide a business-plan for how to take the work forward;

Consult with schools, the people of Leek, Leek Historical Society and other individuals and groups;

Provide a shortlist of potential artists;

Develop grant applications to enable the work to happen.

“how using Serious Games can improve your business functionality. The key objective for participants will be to contribute to the development of a game that will ultimately be available on the commercial market.”

“you will not only receive business training through using the game but also be able to network with your peers and hear from Dan Jones, the Head of New Media at Maverick Television, one of the UK’s longest established regional indies. … On conclusion of the programme participants will receive a certificate from Birmingham City University to confirm their involvement as well as at least six months’ free trial of the final developed game, plus a free Nintendo DS loaded with the game Brain Training.

The workshops will be held on: —

Wednesday 19th March / Interactive Workshop 1 (9.30am – 4.00pm), Birmingham. Friday 4th April / Interactive Workshop 2 (9.30am – 1.30pm), Birmingham. Friday 25th April / Final Summary event (11.30am – 2.30pm), Coventry.

Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and participants need to be able to attend all three of the events. If you are interested in being ‘one of the 10’ and would like to find out more email the programme coordinator, Rose Padmore rpadmore@opening-doors.org.uk

"Creative business start-up and development programme, approximately 60 hours over 2/3 months – leading to a level 3 award in Creative Business Start-up. Putting a business plan together can seem like an incredibly daunting task, but this programme brings together a formalized timetable delivery structure with peer to per support and personalized one-to-one advice and guidance with a creative industries business startup specialist, to support learners through the process in a non-alienating or scary way. Free to any West Midlands based creative business start-up or businesses within 12 month of trading. Location: the Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham. For more information call 0121 224 7308."

..."workshops, a behind the scenes insight into the development of the region’s latest online channel and a short lecture on what every Alton Towers visitor needs – the science of rollercoasters! [...] The conference is free to attend, with each ticket valued at £550, for businesses employing up to 250 people. To attend the conference, or for further information please email events@ideasforlife.tv"

^{New! 21.12.07}   Maple Court Primary School in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent is working with Creative Partnerships Stoke-on-Trent on an exciting project, and the school is looking for "a Drama-in-Education practitioner with the ability to teach Investigative Science (AT1) within an imaginary context" by fully engaging children aged 3 to 6. Deadline 4th Jan 08. Creative Stoke has the full details in the brief (PDF, 18kb).

^{New! 15.12.07}   Added to the Directory:   Painter William Eccleston has a new website, and is "based in Hanley, in a purpose-built studio".

Crewe and Nantwich would like to hear from an artist or artists who can work with community groups to create visual art and flower/plant bed designs using natural products found in and inspired by two areas of the Borough, Queens Park in Crewe and Nantwich Weir Pool. Both projects will culminate in a sharing of work at the annual Cultural Festival in August 2008. Brief available from: Jocelyn McMillan at  jocelyn.mcmillan@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk

Congleton Borough Council seek a visual artist to engage with young people from both the settled community and the gypsy / traveller communities to create a sculptural garden using recycled and found materials. The 'garden' will be installed on a narrowboat as part of the Middlewich Floating Garden Festival. Brief available from: Julie Walker at  julie.walker@congleton.gov.uk

Macclesfield Borough Council would like to hear from a wood sculptor to work with a community group to create 'Taylor's Corner' in Knutsford, and a community artist working with willow to develop the 'Tree of Life' project at a medium-secure unit. Brief available from: Shelagh Malley, Senior Community Activities Officer at  s.malley@macclesfield.gov.uk

^{New! 25.11.07}   Added to the Directory:   Burslem Arts is a new website that profiles and sells "art and unique items all made in a 20 mile radius of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent". It also has a PDF catalogue/flyer for the Burslem Arts Festival.

^{New! 23.10.07}   Are you a budding storyteller with true-life stories about Port Vale Football Club between the 1950s and the 1980s? If so, the Lottery-funded Port Vale Tales is a project touring Stoke-on-Trent to hear people's stories. One of the future stops will be at the WRVS at King George VI Club, Hanley on 28th November 07, at 10am. Other events will be in Sneyd Green, Abbey Hulton, Burslem and Fenton. Interested? Contact Bill at  bill.cawley@stadiumcommunities.org.uk

^{New! 19.10.07}   Added to the Directory:   SMA Studios - a highly-experienced character-based animation studio, creating work for commercials, TV, and features. Based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.

^{New! 19.10.07}   Added to the Directory:   Emily Campbell - a Stoke-based artist undertaking public art projects, including arts and health work. Her Love Ties work and other work can be seen on her web site and Love Ties is also featured on Creative Stoke.

^{New! 19.10.07}   Creative Stoke has a downloadable and A4-printable copy of the rather beautiful Dishinit poster (225kb), featuring hand-painting ceramics from this unique Stoke-on-Trent arts project...

^{New! 12.10.07}   Pamela Wells, curator and artist of the Dishinit arts project in Stoke-on-Trent, writes to give us the dates for the exciting project. It will launch to the public on Tuesday 23rd October, 6:30-8:30pm, at the New Vic Theatre (continues until 17th Nov 07). Sure to be a good creative networking evening. Pamela is also interested in hearing from "any writers who'd be interested" in helping to "get some critical dialogue going", with the possibility of publication. Interested? Pamela Wells can be contacted on 07771 746383 or via the Dishinit website.

^{New! 12.10.07}   Barry Brown, of Stoke-on-Trent College, writes that he is... "interested in the possiblility of develop links between the local creative industries and the media/design department of Stoke-on-Trent College." Are you interested in putting your own firm or agency forward for such industry-education links? Contact Barry at: bbrow1sc@stokecoll.uk

^{New! 12.10.07}   The Staffordshire Dance Collective has a visiting guest workshop in late October. New Art Club – Tom Roden will be giving a workshop at 1pm-4pm, on Sunday 21st October 07...

"New Art Club was formed in 2001 by Tom Roden and Pete Shenton. The duo's inimitable combination of dance, theatre and comedy has been experienced by many through their repertoire of comedy dance shows. New Art Club believe that choreography is an easy, accessible artistic discipline that can be practised by all. They create a safe, supportive environment for artists to work in and with an inclusive and demystifying approach to skills-based sessions, their work aims to have a memorable and important effect on the creative and physical development of artists."

Cost: £6/£4 (with discounts for MMU 3rd Year Students). The venue is the Alsager Campus of MMU, near Stoke-on-Trent. For more information or to book a place please email: rachael@staffsdancecollective.co.uk Visit for more information about these workshops and the collective.

^{New! 12.10.07}   Added to the Directory:   Cosmic Studios is a professional recording studio, located in the heart of the beautiful and extensive grounds of Trentham Lakes and Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

^{New! 12.10.07}   Added to the Directory:   Catherine Murray writes from Newcastle-under-Lyme, that she is "a freelance translator specialising in French and Italian translations into English." If you can use her services, more information can be had from cd@murray2.eclipse.co.uk

^{New! 12.10.07}   Added to the Directory:   Chris Lees is a Stoke-on-Trent photographer who has recently launched an online portfolio at chrisleesphotography.com

^{New! 12.10.07}   Added to the Directory:   Les Jones is a Stone-based designer offering "Unique Graphic Art Based on your Name".

^{New! 12.10.07}   Added to the Directory:   Tom Walker is a Stoke-on-Trent photographer who has recently launched an online portfolio at www.tomwalker.tw

^{New! 12.10.07}   Added to the Directory:   J.W. Hand & Partners Ltd, based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, and providing... "a specialist service to the ceramic industry ... Design Visualisation, Rapid Prototyping, Modeling, Blocking, Casing, Ram Press and Die making, Silicone Rubber and Resin Master Moulds. We can also provide training and offer a consultancy service."

^{New! 12.10.07}   Added to the Directory:  Mark writes from Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, to say that he's set up... "a complete service to the creative and ceramics industry offering: film output, digital print, large format print, display and exhbition graphics, one-2-one marketing, vehicle graphics, photography and web design. Interested? Check out his cipher-graphics.co.uk website.

^{New! 12.10.07}   Added to the Directory:  Jo Robinson writes from Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, to say that she is a... "freelance music composer specialising in music for corporate video, documentaries and short films" and has recently moved to Stoke-on-Trent from London. Interested in using her services? Her company website is Poco a Poco Music.

^{New! 12.10.07}   Creative Stoke is now back from the summer holidays. The break involved a home-move, and then a six-week delay in getting the BT phone lines and internet hooked up again. Hence the delay in re-starting Creative Stoke's activities after the summer. Our apologies.

(Newer "what's new" entries are here.)

(Even older "what's new" entries are are archived here as a 1.2Mb PDF.)